Brightpaw's Moonstone Journey

Mothglow carried a bundle of traveling herbs to the edge of the apprentice's den, early enough in the day. "Brightpaw!" she called, cheerful as ever. "The sooner you're ready, the sooner we can go."

Brightpaw woke quickly at Mothglow's cheerful call. She quietly padded out and dipped her head to the medicine cat, quickly swallowing the bitter traveling herbs. "I'm ready," she mumbled. Her many doubts about visiting the moonstone began to pile up. What if nothing happens? What if they don't think I'm good enough for them? Giving her head a little shake, she cleared her mind of the worries and followed Mothglow out of camp.

Mothglow led the way along the same path she often walked, more careful than she often was when she was alone. It was a long, tiring journey; but it was a rite of passage every apprentice took at some point or another; and eventually they reached Highstones. Mothglow paused for a moment, taking in the beautiful sight and willing her companion to do the same, before leading the way in silence through the shadowed tunnels.

They'd arrived at the perfect moment, the Moonstone bathed in shimmering light; and she gestured with her tail. "Go on, Brightpaw. They'll be waiting."

As they walked to Highstones, Brightpaw surveyed the other territories. WindClans moors looked breezy and cold with no trees for cover and RiverClan's wetlands was criss-crossed with streams, plentiful with the clan's main prey source, fish. The dark tunnels twisted and turned through the rock, and Brightpaw stayed close to Mothglow as to not get lost.

The tunnel opened into a cavern with the Moonstone itself in it. It shined so brightly in the moonlight, making the apprentice's pale fur glow. Brightpaw tried to fight her flight response. The greatness of it scared her, it was so beautifully great, making her feel so small against the stars. She looked to Mothglow and nodded as she instructed her. Lying down next to the stone, she pressed her nose to it and immediately fell into darkness.

Darkness swathed Brightpaw... not chillingly, not eeriely, but rather... tenderly. The stars were welcoming her this evening. The enveloping blanket morphed swiftly into a spectacle of stars; fireflies danced by the whistling grasses upon which she was transported unto, a territory akin to that of ShdowClan's shallow marshes. The glade was wide, with sprinkles of pine needles as nature's rug. StarClan was unfamiliar, familiar, a humble yet extravagant sight to behold. One faint silhouette approached the apprentice, a stoic umber face softly illuminated by the reflections of the moonrays.

"Brightpaw." Hollowpaw's prompts were terse and sparse, formulating monotonously disjointed sentences. Despite their curt nature, they were mellow and mature, offering no alarm or intimidation. He hasn't been certain as to why he was the one to be serving as this apprentice's Moonstone guide tonight... but at no point would he have declined it, either. She bore all the traits necessary to prosper as a devoted ShadowClan warrior. Her warriorhood was imminent, and she had performed well. If Hollowpaw was to help in moulding that path... he would do all that he could. "Welcome to StarClan. Strange at first. Take your time to observe, but... we don't have infinity. My name's Hollowpaw, formerly of ShadowClan, too. Have you come with any thoughts? Questions?"

ShadowClan territory? Her surroundings had changed to that of her marshy homeland, only more perfect. This was StarClan, the place of her deceased ancestors, a place for fallen warriors. With it came not only admiration, but fear. If she wasn't up to their standards, what would happen to her? It was something constantly gnawing at her mind, always present, never ceasing  She sometimes felt like the forest had no place for her: what if there was no place for her here either when her time came? Her brain whizzed with the possibilities, but was gladly stopped by the appearance of another cat. His face was expressionless as her approached her, pelt scattered with sparkling stars.

Hollowpaw... It was a name very unfamiliar to her yet his manner of talking felt so like her own, but more put together, more mature, even if he was probably around the same age as her when he joined the star's ranks.

"What will happen in the future? Will I, uhm, make a good warrior?" Even though it may not seem so to the average cat, Brightpaw would never have shown her own worries to a living cat. But here it felt private, almost dream-like. It was worth knowing anyways. Other questions plagued her mind, but they would reach them in time.